Considered to be the second brain of the human body, the gut is linked to mental health and, therefore, paying attention to diet can make a difference in this regard.
You mental disorders they are considered a problem public healthand the data supports the reason. In 2019 alone, nearly one billion people – including 14 percent of the world’s teenagers – lived with some type of mental disorder, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) released by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, there is no doubt about the importance of this matter.
although the mental health seems like a popular topic, misinformation pervades it. Among the various factors that can compromise it, the food is one of the main, but few are concerned with this relationship, as it is still unknown to many.
Carlos Eduardo Portela, director of the Human Clinic’s Nutrology Center, explains that the intestine goes beyond the responsibility of digesting, absorbing and transporting nutrients to the body. Considered the second brain of the human body, the organ plays “an important role in regulating and maintaining the health of the whole body and mind”. “It has an intimate relationship with our nervous system, being responsible for regulating appetite, energy levels, emotions, attitudes, learning and memory,” informs the nutritionist.
To exemplify the relationship between gut and mental health, the specialist highlights the body’s reaction to stressful events, which can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, mood swings and irritability. “Our gut is responsible for producing nearly 90% of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter related to mood management,” she adds.
“What we put into the body is directly proportional to the performance level of that car. [organismo]. If we put diesel oil in a gasoline car, we will expect the car to fail or run slowly. But if we put gasoline, that is, good quality food, the performance of this car tends to be better “, exemplifies Portela.
Considering the practitioner’s explanations, plus several studies reinforcing that information, it’s a fact that food can affect mental health. Therefore, paying attention to diet can prevent or promote improvements in mental disorders.
What diet to follow for good mental health
Neuroscientist and master of psychology Fabiano de Abreu Agrela points out that excess foods and inflammatory substances (ultra-processed, fried, sugars, white flour, alcohol, among others) can be the big bad guys in mental health.
For a better maintenance of mental health, Agrela indicates to follow the “Mediterranean and Japanese diet, in addition to the regular consumption of foods rich in potassium and tryptophan, rich in antioxidants, such as banana, papaya, kiwi, pineapple, berries, citrus, broccoli and dark leafy vegetables“.
Both experts conclude that while diet plays a key role in maintaining good mental health, other good general health practices are essential, including therapy, physical activity, sleep quality and, in some cases, the use of drugs.
Source: Terra
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